Work pumping oil out of partially filled horizontal tank

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work required to pump oil from a horizontal cylindrical tank with a radius of 5m and a length of 15m, containing oil at a depth of 4m. The weight of the oil is determined to be 2,641,410N based on its density of 9000N/m³. The integral setup for calculating work involves incorporating the force due to gravity, represented by the equation W = ∫ F · dr, where F is the weight of the oil being lifted. The initial calculations for the volume and weight of the oil are confirmed, but the integral for work needs to be properly established to account for the gravitational force.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically integration techniques.
  • Familiarity with the concept of work in physics, particularly in fluid dynamics.
  • Knowledge of the properties of cylindrical shapes and semicircles.
  • Basic understanding of density and weight calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Set up the integral for work done using W = ∫ F · dr, considering the variable depth of the oil.
  • Explore the application of semicircular area calculations in fluid mechanics.
  • Review the principles of hydrostatic pressure and its effect on fluid extraction.
  • Investigate similar problems involving work done in pumping fluids from tanks of various shapes.
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Students in physics or engineering courses, particularly those studying fluid mechanics, as well as professionals involved in hydraulic systems and fluid dynamics calculations.

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Homework Statement



"Oil weighing 9000N/m3 is to be pumped out of the top of a horizontal cylindrical tank of radius 5m and length 15m. Set up an integral to find the work required to pump out the oil to the top of the tank if the depth of the oil is 4m."

Homework Equations


I used y = (r2-x2)(1/2) for the equation of a semicircle.


The Attempt at a Solution


First I decided to try and find the area of one vertical "slice" of the oil. So what I've done is graphed a semicircle of radius 5 to represent this. The equation was x = (52-y2)(1/2). I used dy as my variable of integration. And then I said it was bounded from 1 to 5 (given that the depth of the oil is 4.)

From this exact integral I got the answer 19.56m2. I then multiplied this by 15m to get the volume - 293.49m3.

Given that the density of the oil is 9000N/m3, I found the weight of the oil to be 2,641,410N.

Now I need to set up the integral to find the work done. This is where I'm stuck.
 
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This might help to visualize it a bit

2zs67g6.png
 
Hi,
Firstly, let me say that on the face of it, it seems you've done a thorough job, well done!
But you neglected one key factor, and that's the work itself?
Why is there work to be done anyway, it's because gravity resists the extraction of the oil, whic has weight.
Needless to say, [itex]W = \displaystyle \int \vec{F} \cdot d\vec{r}[/itex]
Every ounce removed, for every inch, is work done.
So you have to incorporate that into your integral, as I see it.
Daniel
 

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